It is being argued that all human beings should be guaranteed certain fundamental rights, that they should be protected against discrimination based on race, gender or sexual orientation.
In other words, all persons would be protected from injury to their person, property or interests on the basis of the fact or perception of their sexual orientation. This is in keeping with the spirit expressed in the United States Constitution that all human beings are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights, among them the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
While practically everyone would agree with these sentiments in the abstract, when it comes time to match word with deed, the situation is remarkably different. People have been discriminated against on any number of invidious and arbitrary grounds, whether on the basis of race, class, gender or sexual orientation. Mercifully, these oppressions have fallen, one after the other.
We are optimistic that the day will come – sooner rather than later – when The Bahamas will be listed as a place where the dignity of the human person is respected, and where all are granted equal protection under the law. We know, too, that change will not come without a struggle.
As people worldwide debate issues as disparate as cloning or same sex marriages, divisions are emerging between people. On the one end are traditionalists and conservatives who would hold on to old truths, and at all costs. On the other, are those self-styled progressives who welcome change, seeing it as civilisation’s propulsive force.
Here in The Bahamas, there are elements of opinion that can be assigned to each of these categories. What is interesting about this country is that despite its veneer of being smooth, chic and sophisticated, there is an abundance of evidence to suggest that many of its citizens are terrified of change, and are appalled at what is happening to their country.
Not surprisingly, much of the attention of the public is focused on speculation concerning the sexual orientation, exploits and antics of any number of people. While much of this behaviour is mildly amusing, some of it is not funny at all. Reference here is being made to any number of violent reactions to whatever is perceived of as different. Highest on the list are the extreme reactions many Bahamians have towards people who identify themselves as gays or lesbians.
A case in point concerns the manner in which this issue is being refracted in church circles. For example, the Church of England is today riven by divisions between those who would wish to ignore it and those who condone it, even to the point of having a bishop who is ‘openly gay’.
In the Bahamian context, then, while Bishop Samuel Greene has come in for a large share of public criticism for his opinion on the matter, there are perspectives which correspond to his albeit not as dramatically.
Archbishop Gomez, for example, is absolutely convinced that homosexuality is sinful, and that it cannot be condoned. Despite the brouhaha in church circles, the point must be made that it is most unlikely that The Bahamas will – anytime soon – reach the point where legal sanction is given to same sex unions. We believe that the day will come when Bahamians will discuss the “rights” of others, even if they are opposed to their immoral behaviour.
This discussion about rights comes at a time when Bahamians are being prepared for a long awaited review of The Bahamas Independence Order. Highest on their list of priorities should be a frank and honest discussion about the rights of women, children, gays and lesbians. A simil0ar debate is taking place in the wider region. For example the Jamaican Parliament has, for some time now, been in discussions concerning amendments to the current bill of rights of their Constitution. This process is open to the addition of new rights and protection for citizens.
The current constitution (Sec 24(3) specifically makes it unconstitutional for discrimination that is based on race, place of origin, political opinions, colour or creed, and it is now proposed that gender be included as a head of non-discrimination. In this context, J-FLAG (Jamaican Forum of Lesbians, All Sexuals and Gays) has submitted a proposal for the inclusion of sexual orientation as a protected category. Such an addition would grant to gays, lesbians and all sexuals the same rights and protections under law, which have already been afforded to the majority of Jamaican society and, in the end, will enhance the right of self-determination and self-expression for all citizens in the plural society that Jamaica is proud to be.
Fundamentally, then, as change presses in and as Caribbean peoples adjust themselves to evolving standards of decency and rightfulness, we are absolutely hopeful that they will see that the progressive way forward would be for them to respect and protect the rights of everyone.
Editorial, The Bahama Journal
